How to Use Layers

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Under Construction.JPG

DotPoint.JPG Layers are a Surveyor tool that allows you to better manage the objects that are placed in your Trainz World.
DotPoint.JPG Layers are a Driver tool that allows you to change what the players see as they drive around your Trainz World.

Contents

The Layers Tool

SurveyorToolMenuLayers.JPG












RightArrowRed.JPG
Click the Layers Tool to open up its properties.
LayersTools.JPG


The layers are organised into two groups:-

  • Route Layers in the top group, and
  • Session Layers in the lower group.

With the Layer Tools (Add, Delete, Merge and Lock) below them.

Each group contains multiple layers - the scroll bars next to the layer names indicate that there are more layers in each group.

Loading a Route and Loading a Session

The layers you will see will depend on whether you have loaded into Surveyor a Route by itself (with no "child" Session) or a Session and its "parent" Route.

LayersToolsRoute.JPG LayersToolsSession.JPG
  • The image on the left shows the layers that will appear if the route only is loaded into Surveyor. These are the layers that are saved with the Route. Note that a default "session-layer" is present. An empty default "session-layer" is always added when only the Route is loaded into Surveyor.
  • The image on the right shows the layers that will appear if a Session based on that Route is loaded into Surveyor. It shows Route Layers and Session Layers.

In both cases, the Route Layers are identical because the same Route has been loaded. A Session contains its own layers, the Session Layers, that are saved with the Session but are not saved with the Route.


DotPoint.JPG Route Layers are saved with the Route. Session Layers are saved with the Session.
DotPoint.JPG If you load a Route without a Session and edit the "session-layer" then those edits will be gone the next time you load the Route without a Session because an empty "session-layer" will be created each time a Route is loaded without a Session.


An important lesson here is:-

DotPoint.JPG If you load a ROUTE without a SESSION then only edit the Route Layers

DotPoint.JPG If you load a SESSION then you can edit BOTH the Route Layers and the Session Layers


Creating a New Route

When a brand new route is created it will come with two layers, a single "route-layer" and a single "session-layer".

LayersNewRoute.JPG
  • Both layers will be empty (the baseboard with its grid is saved with the route but is not in any layer).
  • A layer can be renamed at anytime by double clicking on its name with the left mouse button and typing a new name.

Adding a New Layer

LayersToolButtonsADD.JPG Click the Add Button

A New Layer dialogue window will appear.

LayersAddLayer.JPG
  • Enter a name for the new layer and select the layer group, Route or Session, where it will be placed.
  • You can easily move the layer to the other layer group later if you change your mind.
  • A layer can be renamed at anytime by double clicking on its name in the layer list and typing a new name.

Click the Tick button to accept the changes.

Deleting a Layer

LayersToolButtonsDELETE.JPG Select the layer to be deleted and click the Delete Button

DotPoint.JPG Deleting a layer will delete ALL the objects placed in that layer except objects that are "Bound" to that layer.

Merging Layers

LayersToolButtonsMERGE.JPG Select the layer to be merged into another layer and click the Merge Button

DotPoint.JPG Merging a layer into a second layer will move ALL the objects from the first layer into the second layer. The first layer, which is now empty, will then be deleted.

Locking Layers

Locking ALL Route Layers

LayersToolButtonsLOCKALL.JPG Click the Lock Button


Locking Individual Layers

Moving a Layer

Hiding Layers

Adding Objects To Layers

Layer Contents

There are no "cast iron" rules that dictate what should be placed in the Route Layers Group and what should be placed in the Session Layers Group. Each Route and Session will be different and different creators have different ways of working. The main question to be considered is how many different Sessions will be created using a particular Route?

  • For a Route with only a single Session - everything can safely go into the Route Layers Group
  • For a Route with multiple (2 or more) Sessions - certain things will need to go into the Session Layers Group for each Session. This will create the differences between the Sessions.


The "route-layer"

While all layers are equal, the "route-layer" is special.

Layer Hierarchy

Moving Objects To Other Layers

The Bound Layer

Layers in Driver Mode

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